Question for those who have done a sleep study

[ncmickeyluvr]

Well, I went to the doctor today because of a sinus infection and somehow left with a recommendation to have a sleep study done. Oh and apparently I have seasonal allergies, too. Anyway, in the course of the discussion, we got on the subject of my sleep habits. My doctor thinks it would be beneficial for me to go for a sleep study because of possible sleep apnea. He told me that he would email me some information and I could think about it but he has not set anything up. What he said does make sense so I'm curious. I've ALWAYS classified myself as a "bad" sleeper....a very light sleeper. He put that together with alot of my other habits.....general fatigue, I'm overweight, grind my teeth, migraines, etc...and thinks a study would be beneficial.

So, my question is: What is the sleep study like? Does insurance generally cover the study? Do you have one of those cpap machines?

and mostly....if you're a crappy sleeper to begin with how the heck can attaching a machine to your face make sleeping any easier??

 

[disneydreamersx4]

My DH had the sleep study done. It was covered by insurance. He went around 8pm at night and left around 7am the next morning. He was advised to get the CPAP which he did. But he has since stopped using it, he said it's a little uncomfortable putting it on and one time he woke up in the middle of the night and pulled it off because he thought he was "drowning". I don't remember if he didn't have it on properly that night or if he had the setting up too high. He keeps saying he should go back to using it. I think the CPAP costs us about $11 a month to rent it. He snores without the machine, is overweight and has asthma so I think he could benefit from using the machine. Good luck with your sleep study. Let us know how you're doing.

 

[bookgirl]

If you're not getting enough air when you sleep, like you have an obstuction, your throat narrows when you lay down, or deviated septum, you never fully go into a deep REM sleep. The machine forces air into your lungs (not oxygen from a tank just regular old room air) if you get enough oxygen then your brain can handle deep sleep. "light sleeping" may mean that you are not getting enough air so you never fully go to sleep.

For what it's worth, the cpap has helped with my allergies. The humidified air keeps my nasal passages from getting dry or swollen and if I'm stuffy it helps keep moisture in there and thins out the mucus (gross but true) so I can blow my nose.

 

[Disney Doll]

DH has had several. The first one showed that he stopped breathing about 150 times per hour. The longest he didn't breathe was 45 seconds. Needless to say, HE GOT CPAP AND USES IT RELIGIOUSLY.

 

[Hendoendo]

To answer your questions about the test...Before the test starts you get a lot of sensors on your body which test leg movement, breathing...etc.. They do not place you on a CPAP machine during the test. They are able to test how many times you wake up during the night. When I had my test they stopped it after about an hour because my blood oxygen was too low. They hooked me up to a CPAP machine after that and I slept wonderfully. When I awoke the next morning I felt great. Better than I have ever felt. From what others have told me they make you go for 2 sessions now if they determine in your first study that you have sleep apnea. I have had a CPAP machine for 5 years now and can't sleep without it. It is a little hard to get used to at first because you have to get used to breathing through your nose and keeping your mouth closed. But after that it is easy

 

[Mellie2162]

My DH and my 11 yo ds had one done. They both said it was a piece of cake except for the crap they put in your hair to get the leads to stick to your head. My dh uses a cpap and believe me if he doesnt get to use it he gets mighty cranky. He cannot sleep without it now and it makes him feel way more rested.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

What would they do if you couldn't fall asleep during the study? I'm been trying to decide whether I should go ahead and schedule this but I keep coming back to....what if it's a big waste of time because I can't fall asleep? I can NEVER fall asleep when I'm away from home. I never use meds to sleep at home but I always use something when I'm away. Would they give you something to help you sleep? Would that interfere with the results? All I can imagine is me staring at the ceiling all night with electrodes stuck to me and having the whole thing be a waste of time.

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

Talk to the sleep doctor. He/she is the only one who can tell you what they will do in your case. I just had my 2nd sleep study last week and I get my new CPAP machine tomorrow. I can't wait. I've had my current machine for 5 years now and it needs some replacement parts (hoses/filters). I can't wait to sleep with the new one and the new pressure.

The sleep doctor will figure out what they can do to help you sleep during the test. It is really bad for your heart to have untreated sleep apnea.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I had 2 sleep tests done against my will. Okay, it's not like I was held at gun point but I wanted to have gastric bypass surgery and the pulmonogist wouldn't sign off on it unless I did the 2 studies.

Like the previous posters have said, you show up around 8 or 9 p.m. and they start attaching a boat load of leads to your body, your head (in your hair), finger sensors, etc. This is all then run through some sort of battery pack and attached to the computer. I always tried to get the first appointment because only one of the rooms had it's own private bathroom and tv remote. Then they make you lay down and sleep with cameras and sensors all over. Yeah, that helps - NOT!!

They come in the next morning and rip the leads off you and let you shower. The pulmonogist decided I had minor sleep apnea so I needed to do another test with the cpap machine. The tech said dr would make me come back but it really was very minor. He said the doctor was covering his butt.

Next test, same thing only with a machine blowing air in your face. So now you have a mask in addition to all those dang wires!! I had a cold and couldn't breathe through my nose for the second test. This was really helpful. At one point I was so uncomfortable that I actually held my breath. The tech came in all panicked! Oops, sorry guy. He really was nice and I felt bad for scaring him. He gave me a full mask instead of the smaller one. It helped somewhat.
They wouldn't let me leave the office the next morning without my handy dandy new cpap machine. I told them that I wouldn't use it. I only needed the sign-off for surgery. Surgeon reviewed the paperwork and told me not to worry about it.
The machine sat in my trunk for 3 months. I went to return it and they told me I had to have another sleep test before they would take it. I gave them 2 options: 1) take the new machine that I was attempting to return nicely or 2) pick it up next to the garbage can that I was going to leave it against on my way out the door. They took the machine, brand spanking new still with the plastic wrapped around it.

I hated the sleep studies and will never do another!!!

 

[Kewz1]

My DH had the sleep study done last year. He has a CPAP machine now.

The thing looks really awkward but it has made a HUGE difference in his sleeping habits -- and MINE. He no longer snores which means we are both sleeping through the night.

Also, he has the nasal pillows not the mask.

My DH just said, "It's a pain the butt but it works."

Kristen

 

[Imzadi]

I really don't think I could actually sleep with people watching & monitoring me.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I was able to take an ambien - they said it would not interfere with the results.

I have had my machine for 6 months and it has changed my life! I have more energy than ever, have dropped weight, and just feel terrific.

Wish I had been diagnosed years ago!

Insurance paid for both sleep studies and a machine. Think I paid maybe $200 over the course of 2 months for everything.

Believe it or not I have no problems sleeping with the nasal pillows.

 

[Mas17]

DH had a sleep study in December. His deductibles were paid on insurance so it was almost free. Normally cost about $4000.00. He went in about 9pm and out by 6am. Tons of connections all over... He HAS to sleep with the TV on or he can't fall asleep. They let him have it on for a few hours but then had him turn it off. He said, it was the worst sleep of his life & was very cranky the next day.
Evidently, he did sleep enough to determin he has sleep apnea. I don't remember his numbers. In January, the Dr, wanted him to come back for another sleep test to adjust for the CPAP. It was going to be $4600.00, and our deductible had not yet been met, since it was a new year. He opted out of the 2nd test & is still waiting to start using the CPAP machine. (his own fault). He did buy one off Cragslist for $275.00, brand new. Now, he just needs to get it fit & adjusted. I hope soon. He dosen't sleep well at all. Several of his friends have the machines & tell him how nice it is.

 

[kellydizfan]

I think I am going to ask my ENT the next time I see him in May. Should be next month but want to wait until my new insurance kicks in as of May 1st. Then I won't have to worry about paying deductibles. Yeah on that end. I know I have sleep apnea. I wake myself up when I stop breathing - the loud snore after wakes me up. I have a deviated septum and I get severe sinus infections and I don't sleep well at night. I would love to sleep right thru a night without any issues at all.

 

[erincon23]

I'm going to print this thread out and show it to my DH. He's been given a referral for a sleep study 3 times now, and hasn't scheduled it. He snores loud enough to wake up the entire household, and I know he stops breathing frequently -- sometimes I have to shake him because he's stopped. His brother uses a CPAP and his dad has had surgery to reduce snoring. I know he'd feel better (and stop falling asleep in the middle of DS's concerts, movies, visiting with my parents) if he slept better!

Erin

 

[minkydog]

So, my question is: What is the sleep study like? Does insurance generally cover the study? Do you have one of those cpap machines?

and mostly....if you're a crappy sleeper to begin with how the heck can attaching a machine to your face make sleeping any easier??

Well, to get right to your last question, it's a paradox. Attaching my mask to my face might look uncomfortable, but now taht I"m actually getting some air I sleep very well. I went out of town last weekend and forgot to take the CPAP.Ugh. what a miserable night, tossing constantly, can't breathe well, I'm getting sweaty and I keep waking up. Yup, still got sleep apnea.

If you have symptoms, you insurance will probably pay for the test. It isn't painful. YOu show up about 9pm, they put little wires on your head, arms, and legs(it doesn't hurt) then you turn down the lights and watch a little TV or read a book. Go to sleep. They have an infrared camera so they can see your sleep position and see how much turning you're doing. They may ask you periodically to turn this way or that so they can see how you breath in those positions. If indeed you have sleep apnea, they will come in and put a mask on you and start up the machine.

I'm telling you, the best thing I ever did was get a sleep study. I knew I snored,b ut it wasn't awful. My biggest complaint was being tired all the time, falling asleep in the daytime, and feeling like I was constantly turning all night long, just up and down all the time, sometimes 16 times a night. One hour into my sleep study, they had to stop--I had apnea 75 times in the first hour! GAh! No wonder I was so tired! They immediately put the mask on me and that was the best night's sleep I ever had.

I've been using CPAP now for 2-1/2 years and I can't begin to tell you how it has revolutionized my life. I no longer fall asleep at the wheel, in theaters or in church. I wake up ready for the day. I don't drag myself around all day looking for some place to sit down. My depression is better and I'm eating less. Sleep disorders can suck the life out of you, literally. A lot of people say they're bothered by the thought of the nose-hose. Pthfftt! I'm a lot MORE bothered by the consequences of untreated sleep apnea--high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack & stroke, obesity, diabetes, and accidents.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When I did a sleep study a few months ago one thing they warned me was to not take any nap that day. My situation was that it was almost necessary for me to take a two hour nap every afternoon as I was not getting a good noght's sleep.

After they hooked me up they ran the test initially for about two hours. They found that I was not breathing about half the time.

After the two hours, they put a mask on me and hooked me up to the CPAP machine. I got a good restful night's sleep until they woke me at about 6:00. They said one I had the CPAP attached my incidents of stopping breathing dropped to around five per hour from about fifty.

Now I use the machine every night, except when I have a cold or something and my nse gets stuffed.